How we built a dedicated NASL team for continuous vulnerability testing
We helped a company in the security industry maintain robust security testing processes. As a trusted partner, we quickly assembled a dedicated team capable of handling specialized tasks in rare programming environments, ensuring high-quality vulnerability assessments and operational efficiency.
Need for expertise in niche NASL technology
Our client, operating in a niche cybersecurity field, faced a critical challenge: continuous vulnerability testing using NASL, a specialized and rarely encountered programming language. Finding experts who could reliably create and execute NASL scripts for multiple product versions was extremely difficult, yet essential for maintaining accurate and timely vulnerability assessments. The client needed a team that could quickly adapt, manage complex testing tasks, and ensure security without delays.
The client needed a dedicated team to handle vulnerability testing in NASL, a rarely encountered technology, to ensure continuous protection.
We quickly built and trained a dedicated NASL team
We responded by rapidly assembling a specialized team of NASL developers, fully integrated with the client’s processes but capable of operating independently. The team underwent internal training in NASL, led by a team leader, which allowed them to immediately take ownership of vulnerability tests (VTs) and ensure continuous, accurate testing across product releases.
Key actions
- The team established structured processes for creating and maintaining VTs, identifying vulnerable software versions, and verifying fixes.
- Progress was monitored through integration with the client’s task management system.
- Agile workflows aligned with ISO 27001:2022 standards ensured compliance and scalability.
- Internal knowledge sharing accelerated the team’s mastery of NASL, a rare and specialized technology.
Precise testing and efficient deployments
Through our collaboration, the client gained a fully operational NASL team capable of delivering continuous vulnerability testing without delays. Testing coverage increased by 60%, accuracy in vulnerability detection improved by 45%, and operational efficiency in managing security updates rose by 50%. The client benefited from both immediate results and long-term capability growth: the rapid onboarding of the team and internal NASL training created lasting expertise in a rare technology, ensuring reliable security operations while enabling strategic focus on business priorities.
Effective vulnerability testing with a dedicated NASL team
How to build a team for NASL vulnerability testing?
The key is to assemble a team that understands both the NASL language and the scanner environment, while ensuring rapid onboarding and training. In practice, it’s best to fully integrate the team with the client’s processes while maintaining operational autonomy – enabling efficient and independent vulnerability testing.
Why is NASL vulnerability testing so challenging?
NASL is a rarely used scripting language designed for tools such as Nessus, which makes finding experienced experts difficult. Effective testing in NASL requires the ability to develop scripts for multiple product versions and environments – without this, maintaining accuracy and continuity in vulnerability detection becomes nearly impossible.
How to maintain continuous vulnerability testing without overloading internal teams?
The solution is a dedicated team that takes full responsibility for NASL testing, allowing internal teams to stay focused on core product development. With external operational support, organizations can sustain both testing speed and quality – without disrupting product delivery.
How to measure the effectiveness of NASL vulnerability testing?
Key performance indicators include test coverage (e.g., the percentage of software versions covered by NASL tests), vulnerability detection accuracy, and turnaround time for testing and patch validation. Collaboration with a dedicated NASL team should lead to measurable improvements in these metrics.
Can the dedicated NASL team model work for other niche technologies?
Yes. The model of rapidly assembling and training a team of specialists in a niche technology like NASL can be successfully applied to other rare or legacy environments. This approach enables companies to maintain operational continuity, develop internal expertise, and efficiently manage testing within highly specialized domains.
